According to Porterbrook, JR Central is currently looking into the potential for hydrogen trains on the rail network in Japan.
Helen Simpson, director of projects and innovation at Porterbrook and a key figure in the development of HydroFLEX, led the tour along with representatives from Chrysalis Rail and Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions. The tour included the hydro chamber, where the latest fuel cell technology combines green hydrogen with oxygen to power the vehicle.
Porterbrook has invested around £10 million in HydroFLEX and 30 UK companies have contributed to its development. It can operate under electric, battery and hydrogen power, making it the world’s first ‘tri-mode’ train.
Up to 277kg of hydrogen fuel is safely contained aboard HydroFLEX in 36 high pressure tanks. This is fed into fuel cells, where a chemical process converts the hydrogen and oxygen from the air to generate clean electricity.
JR Central is not the only rail company in Japan exploring the use of hydrogen to power trains. JR East revealed earlier this year that it had started trial runs of Japan’s first hydrogen powered train called the “Hybari”. This train was developed in collaboration with Toyota and Hitachi and is being trialed on the Nanbu Line, connecting Tachikawa Station, Tokyo and Kawasaki Station. The company aims to start commercial operation of the Hybari hydrogen train in 2030.